PLUCK OF THE IRISH August 25, 2011 IRISH minnows Shamrock Rovers created history by becoming the first part-time team to reach the Europa League group stages after they knocked out Partizan Belgrade. Stephen O’Donnell’s extra-time penalty earned a 2-1 win in Belgrade to take them through 3-2 on aggregate after last week’s draw in Dublin. The achievement was put into perspective by [...]
Wilkinson’s World Cup boost August 25, 2011 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has declared Jonny Wilkinson his first choice fly-half after selecting the veteran No10 for tomorrow’s final World Cup warm-up against Ireland. Johnson has opted for Wilkinson over Toby Flood, who disappointed in the defeat to Wales last time out, in a move that puts the 2003 World Cup winner in pole [...]
Riise injury sours Jol’s night August 25, 2011 DNIPRO (1) vs FULHAM (0) Fulham manager Martin Jol admitted John Arne Riise’s leg injury is “serious” after his team booked their place in the Europa League group stage last night. The Cottagers lost on the night in Ukraine but last week’s 3-0 success in the first leg enabled their European adventure to continue. However, [...]
City confident despite rude awakening to European big time August 25, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY believe they have nothing to fear from their Champions League debut, despite being drawn in the hardest group of all English sides. City must negotiate Bundesliga titans Bayern Munich, Spanish dark horses Villarreal and Napoli, who finished third in the Italian top flight last year, as they bid for a place in the [...]
Morgan leads from front in England trial August 25, 2011 ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan praised an experimental one-day side after they beat Ireland on the Duckworth-Lewis method. Irish-born Morgan stood in for Alastair Cook and picked up the man-of-the-match award after guiding England home in Dublin. Fit-again Jonathan Trott top scored with 69 as England racked up 201-8, which was enough to see Morgan’s men [...]
Murray on course for Nadal semi August 25, 2011 TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray has been drawn in the same half of the draw as Rafael Nadal at the US Open, meaning they are on course to meet for the fourth grand slam in succession. First, however, Murray will have to see off Indian No64 Somdev Devvarman, his opponent in round one. Robin Soderling is [...]
Europa joy for Stoke and Blues August 25, 2011 FOOTBALL: Stoke and Birmingham both progressed to the Europa League group stages after winning their play-off ties in emphatic fashion. FA Cup runners-up Stoke defeated FC Thun 4-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggreagate with a brace from Kenwyne Jones and goals from Matthew Upson and Glenn Whelan. Carling Cup winners Birmingham, now in the Championship, [...]
Champions to continue their perfect start August 25, 2011 IT’S been an excellent start to the season for Manchester United and it could be about to get even better as I just can’t see them failing to beat Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford. The champions have an unbelievable record on home soil, winning 19 of their last 20 with 15 coming by the [...]
Poet’s Voice to give Godolphin double Celebration August 25, 2011 FRANKIE Dettori had a tremendous final two days at York and I expect his good run to continue as POET’S VOICE is going to be extremely hard to beat in tomorrow’s Celebration Mile at Goodwood (3.20pm). He won this race easily last year on his favoured soft ground before going on to take the Group [...]
Arsenal clear Euro hurdle to keep place among elite August 24, 2011 UDINESE (1) vs ARSENAL (2) RELIEVED Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed his team’s courage after they survived a nerve-shredding evening in Italy to reach the promised land of the Champions League group stage. The Gunners came into the match in disarray, following a poor start to the season, the departures of stars Cesc Fabregas and [...]